Wait…What
Does That Mean?

An absentee ballot is a voting method that allows a registered voter to mail or submit their vote remotely when they are unable to attend the polling place on Election Day.

If you cannot cast a ballot in person due to one of six pre-approved reasons (such as long-term illness, disability, military service etc., you can apply for and receive a ballot that can be mailed to your town or dropped into a ballot box.

The practice of actively campaigning for social or political change, often involving rallies, petitions, or direct action to raise awareness and influence public opinion.

The act of arguing in favor of, or supporting a cause or policy.

Affidavit ballots, also known as provisional ballots, are used when a voter believes they are registered to vote but cannot submit a regular ballot.

The identification or alignment with a political party or ideology.

A change or addition to a law, a proposed law or a legal document.

Money that is assigned to government departments for specific use.

An election where voters across an entire city, town, or district can vote for a candidate, rather than only voters from a specific neighborhood or smaller district.

A list of candidates, proposals, or measures that is meant to be voted on. Usually these are in the form of paper ballots or digital ballots cast on machines.

A system of government where the representatives who write the laws are split into two different groups. Usually, these two groups have different responsibilities and have to collaborate with each other to pass laws.

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that give people basic rights such as freedom of speech.

The agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies

An organized effort to influence decision-making within a specific group.

Someone who is actively campaigning for a government position.

A casual meeting of a smaller sub-group of members who come together based on commonalities such as political party, gender, race, location, or issue.

Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with individuals, commonly used during political campaigns.

An official count of a population to collect information about each person. The U.S. Census is taken every ten years.

A system where the three segments of the government (President, Congress, and Supreme Court) monitor each other so one doesn't get too powerful.

The study of what people can do and should do in their communities.

The moral and legal obligations of citizens to actively participate in the democratic process, including voting, serving on juries, and obeying laws.

Education aimed at teaching the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens.

Active involvement in community and public affairs, including volunteering, attending public meetings, and advocating for issues that affect society.

Civic literacy is the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in civic life, including understanding government, political systems, and citizen rights and responsibilities.

The ethical duty of citizens to actively participate in civic life, contribute to the common good, and uphold democratic principles through informed and engaged citizenship.

The fundamental freedoms and protections afforded to individuals by law, encompassing equality before the law, freedom of speech, and protection against discrimination.

A temporary alliance of groups, individuals, or organizations that come together to achieve a common goal or purpose.

A group of lawmakers who work together to study, discuss, and make recommendations about proposed laws and other issues.

Community development is a process where community members take collective action on issues that are important to them.

Voluntary actions undertaken to benefit others and the community, addressing social needs, promoting cooperation, and strengthening civic bonds for the collective welfare.

Congress is the legislative branch of the United States, responsible for making laws.

Members of the public who are represented by a specific legislator or public official.

A foundational document that outlines the structure of government, establishes the rights of citizens, and sets limits on governmental power, serving as the supreme law of the land.

A governance system where citizens have the power to elect representatives and participate in decision-making processes through voting, ensuring collective involvement in shaping the nation's direction.

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

The state of being deprived of a right/privilege, especially the right to vote.

False information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media.

The specific area or region within the state that is represented by a legislator and is determined either by a number or by its physical boundaries (location).

Due process (or due process of law) refers to the idea found in the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, which states no one shall be "deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law" by the federal government.

Casting your vote before Election Day at a designated time and place.

To pick someone for a political office by voting for them.

In the US, the electoral college is the group of electors that is formed every 4 years to decide the president and vice president.

Official day when people go vote in an election.

A public statement of support for a political candidate, policy, or cause. Endorsements are made by political parties, lawmakers, organizations, and public figures.

The condition of being equal in rights, opportunities, and treatment, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, promoting fairness and justice within society.

The part of the government run by the President who passes laws and make sure they are followed.

An executive order is a directive from the president that orders the federal government to take specific actions.

A group that watches over how money is raised and spent in national elections.

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority (national governments) and regional/state governments.

When a member of congress talks for a really long time to try and delay a decision in the government.

Due process balances the power of law of the land and protects the individual person from it. When a government harms a person without following the exact course of the law, this constitutes a due process violation, which offends the rule of law.

The Connecticut General Assembly is the decision-making governmental group for the state of Connecticut. It’s made up of two parts: the House of Representatives, which has 151 members, and the Senate, which has 36 members. Together, they work to make laws and decisions for the state.

The final election where voters choose who will actually hold a public office.

An occasion where someone in authority changes the border of an area in order to increase the number of people within an area who will vote for a particular party/person.

A group of people who look at the evidence first to decide if there’s enough to charge someone with a crime before bringing it to a larger criminal trial.

Grassroots movements start locally, with individuals and communities taking action to address issues without relying on established institutions. They focus on collective efforts from the ground up to bring about change.

A public meeting for people to talk about and voice opinions on a proposal or bill, usually scheduled by a committee.

The action of including or being included within a group or structure.

An incumbent is a political official who is currently serving the position being sought.

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes the interconnected nature of social categorizations like race, gender, and class as they relate to individual and group experiences.

The official record of the events and actions that occur in the Connecticut General Assembly, Senate, and House on each session day. There are separate journals for the Senate and House.

The part of the government that uses courts, such as the Supreme Court, to decide if laws are okay and follow the Constitution.

An area or zone where a country or group can make and enforce laws.

Purpose of a law or decision made.

The set time when the legislature comes together to discuss and pass those laws.

When an elected official in the executive branch (President, Governor, Vice President, etc.) dies, resigns, or is removed from office before their term is complete, another person has to take their job. The specific order in which the position is given to other officials is called the order of succession.

Legislation is the official process through which rules or laws are created and enacted by a governing authority.

The part of the government where people we vote for in state elections make the rules and laws for everyone.

A group of people we vote for who make laws for our state or country.

The act of individuals or groups attempting to influence decisions made by government officials or policymakers, often through advocacy, persuasion, or providing information to shape legislation or public policy.

A member of the party that occupies the greatest number of seats in that specific chamber, chosen to be the leader.

A member of the party that occupies the least number of seats in that specific chamber, chosen to be the leader.

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of whether there is an intent to deceive.

A city or town that has corporate status and local government.

When someone is officially suggested to run for an office.

Someone who has been picked or suggested for a position.

Not affiliated with any political party, especially in voting guides or civic education.

A local rule or law made by a city or town.

Organizing entails bringing individuals together around a shared cause or goal, mobilizing resources, and coordinating activities to effect change or address specific issues within communities or society.

A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.

A formal written request made to an authority or organized body (such as a court).

Active engagement in the political process, such as voting, campaigning, or contacting elected officials, to influence government decisions and shape public policy.

The place in which you cast or register your vote for an election.

An intro or opening that explains why a law or official paper was made. Usually, but not always, referring to the US constitution

An election where people vote for the presidential candidate they want to represent their political party in the general election in November.

Primary elections are held months before a general election. Primaries are run to select candidates for each party.

A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.

If a polling location cannot confirm your registration or you register the same day, you are given this temporary ballot that may or not be counted. If your registration is confirmed, then the ballot is counted but if your registration is not then your ballot is not counted.

Legislation signed into law that applies to all; All CT laws once passed become known by their public act number and not their bill number.

A mass meeting of people making a political protest or showing support for a cause.

The system used in NYC local elections where voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one.

The top member (usually the longest serving) of a committee or subcommittee that’s not in the majority in the minority party.

Redistricting is the process of redrawing district lines, usually after a census, to make sure that districts are reflective of the general population and that each district has about the same number of residents.

A referendum is when voters directly decide on a proposed law or amendment.

A political system in which elected officials represent the interests of the people and make decisions on their behalf, ensuring accountability and responsiveness to citizen needs.

Things people should be free to do or have without being stopped or treated unfairly.

The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law, ensuring justice, stability, and protection of rights within society.

means you can register to vote and cast your ballot on the same day—even if you missed the regular registration deadline.

A preview of what your real ballot will look like before you vote.

While the Vice President is in charge of running the U.S. Senate, they are not always able to, and so the President Pro Tem of the Senate is elected to run the senate in their place. While this position often goes to the longest serving senator from the majority party, that is not always the case.

Separation of powers is a constitutional principle that divides governmental authority into distinct branches, each with its own specific functions and powers.

The title “Speaker” is given to the person elected as the head of the House of Representatives in Connecticut.

A law made by the government that is written down unlike a rule or unwritten law, so that it is more permanent.

The permission or ability for someone to vote in an election.

A public building used for town-government offices and meetings.

The ability of one branch of government to say “no” to a decision or a suggested law; it is a way for one person or group to stop something from happening by refusing to approve it.

Volunteerism is the act of contributing free labor to conduct community service or support a nonprofit organization.

Efforts to encourage and educate citizens about their right and duty to vote.

showing proof of who you are when you go to vote.

Signing up so you’re officially allowed to vote in elections.

Tactics used to discourage or prevent certain groups from voting

Voter turnout refers to the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

When you write the name of a person on the ballot who is not already listed as an official candidate for that position.